Datasheet

Memory management
When you first receive your BlackBerry Pearl, the device definitely
has ample free memory. However, that memory — which is used
for applications that come with your Pearl and for other applica-
tions you download — does not grow as you use BlackBerry.
You’re stuck with a fixed amount of memory, which can prove limit-
ing over time. As you install more and more applications, this free
memory gets used up. In fact, you could eventually run out of
memory altogether.
Don’t confuse this fixed amount of memory with the memory avail-
able through the microSD slot. A microSD chip can store mp3s, port-
able videos and pictures that you download or load from your PC.
Does your device die when you run out of memory? No, thank good-
ness. Your BlackBerry is capable of monitoring the free memory on
your device. If you’re ever in danger of reaching your upper limits,
the BlackBerry has a memory management tool that cleans house
to free this limited resource.
BlackBerry applications right out of the box are capable of figuring
out what data isn’t that important. For example, the BlackBerry
Browser caches data to enhance your experience when browsing
the Web. Caches use local copies of Web pages to speed up the
reloading of previously visited Web sites, so they are generally
good things to have around. However, this cache also takes up
space. When the OS tells Browser that the device is reaching its
upper memory limit and that it needs to do some house cleaning,
Browser deletes this cache. This is also true for Message, which
deletes e-mails you’ve already read, starting from the oldest and
working its way backward.
Curious about how much available space your device has? From
the Home screen, press the Menu key, scroll to highlight Options in
the list of applications, and press the trackball. Scroll through the
list and click Status. In the Status screen, File Free is the field that
tells you how much available space is left.
A sentry is always on duty
Throughout the history of human existence, we’ve seen some nasty
things that human beings are capable of doing. Unfortunately, the
virtual world is not exempt; in fact, every day a battle is fought
between those who are trying to attack a system and those who
Chapter 1: Your BlackBerry Is Not an Edible Fruit
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